Some Random Thoughts

And a few Random Photos, too!

First off ... Landon had his four-month checkup today. He's 17 lbs 12 oz and 27 inches long -- just how I like my babies -- nice and fat. I swear they keep those exam rooms at like 98 degrees, though, because I'm always sweating by the time I leave there. It could be because they don't want the babies to get cold since they're naked most of the visit. Or maybe it's just my natural response to Tanner playing with the trashcan (gross!!) and the light switches the whole time I'm trying to talk to the doctor. Or maybe it's because Landon cried through the whole thing. The doctor told me this means he's cognitively advanced. Nothing like trying to make a mom feel good. She also told me I should start putting him in his bed awake and letting him cry during the night. Not sure I'm ready to start that yet. But I'll take the "advanced" comment, just the same. :)

Landon also took his first spin in the exersaucer yesterday, followed by a repeat today. He seems to love it and I'm glad I have another way to entertain him. Oh ... and Tanner seems to really enjoy it, too!

Dude ... Hands OFF!

Nothing like a great day at the office!

I don't know what the deal is, but Tanner has grown up SO MUCH these past 2 - 3 months. I look at him and can't seem to find even an ounce of baby left. He's 100% little boy now. He's communicating so much and his vocabulary seems to be growing exponentially. But he still gives me at least 50 kisses a day if I ask for them. And, in turn, he asks me to kiss at least 25 boo-boos everyday. I love how he gets an owie and runs to me, tearful, asking me to kiss it. As soon as I do, he's happy again, and I feel like my lips are full of magic. Everything he plays with turns into a "choo-choo" or a boat. And he's enthralled with bugs ... or bogues as he calls them. And did I mention that he's the BEST big brother ever?

As for me, I'm feeling rather dumpy lately. Simply pass over this next paragraph if you don't want to hear my ridiculous self-loathing. First off ... I totally need some new highlights. And a trim. And a babysitter to watch my kids while I get these done. And money to pay the outrageous price to get these done at the salon I like to go to. Still reading? Okay then. I also need to lose this last 10lbs of baby weight, which is residing in my face and hips ... yuck. Except I really don't have an excuse because I've been eating whatever I want. And I'm having the HARDEST time finding opportunities to work out. I've always got one napping and one awake it seems like, which rules out the treadmill and a run with the jogger. And I really just need to stop making excuses ... and I know it. Still reading? I kind of hope you've moved on by now. But in case you haven't ... have I mentioned that I have ZERO clothes that fit? My fat clothes are too big, and my regular clothes are too small. And the more I look at my regular clothes, the more I see that they really aren't that great anyways. Okay ... and one more thing. I know this is insane. I know it, but I'm just going to put it out there so you know exactly what I'm thinking. Remember how my retainer broke a few months ago and I had to go and get a new one made? Well, about 6 weeks passed by between losing the old one and getting the new one and I swear my teeth are crooked now. And I can't hardly bear to look at them because I was so faithful for so long with that stupid retainer and now my two front teeth are totally overlapping the next two ... just a little bit. Okay, I really hope everyone's moved on to the next paragraph by now. Besides, I doubt anyone I come into contact with pays even a lick of attention to my appearance when I have this little heartbraker on my arm.

And there is something awesome that I want to share with you. It's a recipe that I found for iced coffee that almost blows Starbucks out of the water. Almost. Try it and see what you think:

1 pot strong coffee (I brewed 10 cups with 10 T coffee grounds)

1/2 of a 14 oz can fat-free sweetened condensed milk

Mix together and chill. Add your favorite flavor if you like. I added a bit of chocolate syrup and it is SUCH a treat! Let me know how you like it!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Is it really almost Thursday already?

This week has FLOWN by thanks to mountains of laundry, back-to-back trips to the spray park, and the awesome weather (finally!!) that has been beckoning us to spend our days outside.

Last weekend, we took a trip to Ohio to visit with Jon's extended family. It was our longest drive ever with the boys (about 10 hours each way) and they did GREAT thanks to Grandpa and Grandma and their portable DVD player. It was a quick trip -- we left on Friday morning and returned late Sunday evening. But it was TOTALLY worth it to get to visit with all of Jon's family. I always enjoy getting together with them ... they are always so friendly and easy to talk to and we have so much fun when we're with them! I wish I would've taken more pictures of everyone, but most of them are just of the boys. I put them together in a slideshow for you. ENJOY!

Repeat

Let's just say that tonight has been a repeat of last Thursday. Once again, I have been sucked into the blogosphere. But to tell you the truth, I needed to unwind a little. At 5:30 this evening, I wasn't quite sure I was going to make it. Both kids were crying, and I still had dinner and baths ahead of me (the hardest part of my day.) But ... we made it. Both boys are sound asleep. And I'm ignoring my dirty kitchen floors that are begging to be mopped. They'll just be dirty again by tomorrow, right?? :)

We've been all over the place this last week -- but having lots of fun. And despite the hardest parts of my day ... the times when I just want to lock myself in the bathroom for a little bit of peace ... I'm still lovin' being a mom to these two boys.

I've said before that my video monitor is my favorite baby purchase. Let me tell you why.

Every night after I crawl in bed, I lean over to my bedside table and grab the monitor. Then, I take a look at Tanner -- my busy busy boy who has finally crashed -- and my heart fills with so much love that I think it might burst.



And then I flip the channel over to Landon's room. And I'm shocked night after night by how deeply I have fallen in love with this little person. And all I can think about is how I can't wait to see him again.

How did I get to be so blessed?

To Do

I had so much planned for tonight after I put the kids to bed.

Really, I did.

I was going to start by running on our treadmill for a little bit.

Then, I was going to tidy up the house and do a load of laundry.

Next up was switching out all of Landon's 6mos. clothes for 9 mos.

After that, I was going to clean up the space around my desk.

And upload a few photos.

And then write a really interesting and funny post.

Finally, I was going to end the evening with a long hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, and a good book ... just like I used to do pre-children.

But FIRST, I was going to just check my email ... really quick.

Now it is 9:57 and I've been sucked in. I've checked my email, googled a few things, read everyone else's blog, ... and gotten nothing finished. Sheesh. Now I'm way too tired to do anything but that last part. :)

p.s. Landon rolled over today. Back to tummy. I know ... advaaaaanced. ;)

Oops -- I almost forgot!

One more thing for today.

Tanner went pee pee on the potty again ... like 3 drops, but we still celebrated. I gave him 2 M&Ms. I'm a total softy.

Swimming ...

... it does a body good.

What can I say except for today was WAAAAAYYYY better than yesterday. Thank you sunshine. Thank you Daddy. Thank you sprinkler. Thank you Ice Cream. Thank you Pool.

All Aboard!

In an effort to turn things around yesterday, we built this ...

CHOO - CHOOOOOOOO!!!!

Aint No Mountain High Enough

I've really come to think that parenting is a lot like marriage. It has it's highs and lows, peaks and valleys. Just when you are about to bust at the seams with pride for your child's behavior, just when you think you've got a handle on things and you're doing a good job and you start to get a tiny bit confident, things change and you are on your way back to a low again.

The last two weeks or so have definitely been a parenting high for me. Tanner's been AWESOME, so obedient and loving, and entertaining himself a lot more than usual. Landon's been super cuddly and undemanding.

Let me just say that this week has been ... well ... not so high. Today especially. Tanner has been testing me since the moment he woke up and we've already had about 8 timeouts. And little Landon, who is always happy, has been fussy fussy fussy. And I ... I have been yelling. I hate that ... I'm really not a yeller by nature and I have boatloads of patience -- I was a middle school teacher for goodness sake! I kind of want to just crawl back into bed and hide under the covers until tomorrow, with the hope that maybe I'll wake up to those sweet kids from last week.

Instead, maybe I'll use this naptime to get myself put together, brush my hair, put on a little makeup, and tidy up my house ... that oughtta help at least a little bit. There's gotta be another high period right around the corner, right???

And if not, there's always Starbucks. A mocha light frappacino always seems to make the day a little brighter.

From our days at the top ...

Our Weekend in Pictures

These two crazy kooks came into town and BOY, were we excited to see them!

We spent Friday afternoon wine tasting at several of the wineries close to home.

It was so much fun, but by the time we finished our fourth winery, we were ready to be done.

So we went home, ordered pizza for dinner, and closed the evening with a campfire and some smores. Tanner had his first roasted marshmallows and he LOVED them!

On Saturday morning, we woke up and spent the morning talking over coffee. (My favorite thing to do with my mom and sisters). We also took turns snuggling this little love.

Then, we finally got ourselves together and made our way to my dad's boat for some fishing. Tanner had a ball with the minnows and spent most of the time leaning over the bait bucket, playing with them.

We were fishing for perch, but didn't catch very many. I wonder if it had something to do with this little man splashing his feet over the back of the boat with his daddy.

After fishing was through, we went home and quickly cooked out, bathed the kids, and got them ready for bed. Grammy volunteered to stay home so that the rest of us could head back out on the lake to enjoy fireworks.

Sunday came way too fast. Tanner spent the morning playing with Uncle Daniel. My dad built a putting green in our backyard several years ago, and cut down one of his putters for Tanner to start using. Look out, Tiger!

We spent most of the afternoon getting ready for my grandparents to come over for lunch, which is always a treat.

After we ate, we headed to the orchard down the street to pick some sweet cherries.

This guy stayed behind.

Before we said goodbye, it was time for one more spin on Tanner's jeep. And we got a little preview of next summer. Tanner loved having a sidekick!

Bye Bye Grammy and Poppy! Thanks for an awesome weekend! We love you!

Monday, Monday

Our weekend was awesome. What else can one expect when all the Shirley Girls are together?

Today totally got away from me, though.

And really, a mother of two boys must have priorities, right? Like watching The Bachelorette instead of updating her blog.

I'll tell you all about our weekend tomorrow. Promise. :)

p.s. If you are also a follower of The Bachelorette, be sure to check out this girl's hilarious recaps.